Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jan 2004 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Page: A14 Copyright: 2004, The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Authors: Gay Abbate, and Joe Friesen PROBE RESULTS IN 22 CHARGES FILED AGAINST SIX OFFICERS Chief 'Saddened And Disappointed' But Moves To Reassure Public, Calling Allegations Isolated And Confined Police officers must never violate public trust or bring shame to the profession, Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino said yesterday, as he announced the arrest of six of his officers on drug-related charges. Looking and sounding grim, Chief Fantino said he was "deeply saddened and disappointed," but was quick to add that the allegations against six of his officers are "isolated and confined." As he has done before when other officers have been charged with violating their oath to uphold the law, Chief Fantino yesterday reassured the public that "I am totally committed to leading an ethical and professional police force." Staff Sergeant John Schertzer, and Constables Steve Correia, Joseph Miched, Ray Pollard, Ned Maodus and Richard Benoit turned themselves in to police yesterday morning to face a total of 22 criminal charges. The offences include conspiracy to obstruct justice, perjury, extortion, theft and assault causing bodily harm. Not all the officers face the same charges. They made their first court appearance later in the day. After a 40-minute hearing before a justice of the peace in Scarborough, the six were released on bail. All but Constable Maodus are out on $25,000 bail, which was waived, meaning they did not have to put up the money. Constable Maodus, who was charged earlier this week with other drug-related offences, was ordered to hand over $35,000 for his bail. He was also prohibited from possessing illegal drugs and ordered to live with his parents in Windsor and to report to Windsor police each Wednesday. The officers, who have been suspended with pay, cannot have any contact with each other or with witnesses. They will be back in court on Feb. 25. The six were members of the notorious Central Field Command Drug Squad Team 3 between July, 1995, and March, 2002, the period under investigation. The charges stem from an investigation the chief ordered in August, 2001, to be headed by RCMP Superintendent John Neily. It came in the wake of another probe into allegations that members of that drug squad were siphoning off money from their so-called "fink fund," used to pay informants. Yesterday, Supt. Neily also named four other officers as unindicted co-conspirators, meaning they will not face criminal charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice. However, Detectives Jason Kondo and Jonathan Reid, and Constables Greg Forestall and Mike Turnbull are being placed on restricted duties. As well, Supt. Neily said several cases involving deceit, neglect of duty and discreditable conduct have been referred to the force's professional standards division for possible internal discipline. He did not say which officers are involved. He said the six officers allegedly obstructed justice by falsifying their notes and internal police records, swearing to false affidavits to obtain search warrants, failing to account for evidence seized and giving false statements. Toronto Mayor David Miller called the arrests "sad news for Toronto." He said the chief has reassured him that he has taken steps to make sure the situation is being dealt with. "I respect his assurances. And if there are facts that come to light that suggest that the problem is more widespread, then we will have to look at them," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom